Isaiah 16:13

13 This is God's earlier Message on Moab.

Isaiah 16:13 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 16:13

This [is] the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning
Moab
That is, this prophecy now delivered out is what comes from the Lord; it is the word of the Lord, and not of man, and so shall certainly come to pass; when this word was spoken follows: since that time;
from eternity, as some, and so refer it to the decree of God within himself; or from the time that Moab was in being, or a nation, as others; or from the time that Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel, so Jarchi; or rather from the time that the Lord made known his mind and will, concerning this matter, to the prophet Isaiah: for it should be rendered, "this is that word which the Lord spake concerning Moab then" ^F9; that is, at the time or year in which Ahaz died, ( Isaiah 14:28 ) and is observed, to distinguish it from what the prophet spoke, or was about to speak, now or from this time, concerning him, as in the next verse ( Isaiah 16:14 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 So Noldius, Ebr. Concord. Part. p. 473. No. 1586.

Isaiah 16:13 In-Context

11 My heartstrings throb like harp strings for Moab, my soul in sympathy for sad Kir-heres.

12 When Moab trudges to the shrine to pray, he wastes both time and energy. Going to the sanctuary and praying for relief is useless. Nothing ever happens.

13 This is God's earlier Message on Moab.

14 God's updated Message is, "In three years, no longer than the term of an enlisted soldier, Moab's impressive presence will be gone, that splendid hot-air balloon will be punctured, and instead of a vigorous population, just a few shuffling bums cadging handouts."